Naomi navigates a plan ( 3:1–5 ) · Ruth works in Boaz’s field for about three months and continues to live with Naomi (2:23). But living together was never Naomi’s long-term plan for Ruth. Now that Boaz and Ruth have providentially met, and given that Boaz bears a legal family responsibility, Naomi attempts to secure a new home and identity for Ruth. She hopes to restore the coveted family name and reputation along with any inheritance. Naomi seizes the opportunity to inform Boaz of his responsibility by sending Ruth to communicate to him at the threshing floor.

Ruth reaches out to Boaz at the threshing floor ( 3:6–9 ) · In submission to Naomi, Ruth follows a set of instructions puzzling to a reader removed from Israelite laws and customs. First, Ruth “uncovered his feet and lay down” (3…